Clinical examination and non-invasive screening tests in the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease in people with diabetes-related foot ulceration.

AIM: Peripheral artery disease is common in people with diabetes-related foot ulceration and is a risk factor for amputation. The best method for the detection or exclusion of peripheral artery disease is unknown. This study investigated the utility of clinical examination and non-invasive bedside tests in screening for peripheral artery disease in diabetes-related foot ulceration. METHODS: Some 60 people presenting with new-onset ulceration participated. Accuracy of pulses, ankle pressure, toe pressure, toe-brachial index (TBI), ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI), pole test at ankle, transcutaneous oxygen pressure and distal tibial waveform on ultrasound were examined. The gold standard diagnostic test used was > 50% stenosis in any artery or monophasic flow distal to calcification in any ipsilateral vessel on duplex ultrasound. RESULTS: The negative and positive likelihood ratios of pedal pulse assessment (0.75, 1.38) and the other clinical assessment tools were poor. The negative and positive likelihood ratios of ABPI (0.53, 1.69), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (1.10, 0.81) and ankle pressure (0.67, 2.25) were unsatisfactory. The lowest negative likelihood ratios were for tibial waveform assessment (0.15) and TBI (0.24). The highest positive likelihood ratios were for toe pressure (17.55) and pole test at the ankle (10.29) but the negative likelihood ratios were poor at 0.56 and 0.74. CONCLUSIONS: Pulse assessment and ABPI have limited utility in the detection of peripheral artery disease in people with diabetes foot ulceration. TBI and distal tibial waveforms are useful for selecting those needing diagnostic testing.

Mortality of emergency general surgical patients and associations with hospital structures and processes.

BACKGROUND: Variations in patient outcomes between providers have been described for emergency admissions, including general surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in modifiable hospital structures and processes were associated with variance in mortality, amongst patients admitted for emergency colorectal laparotomy, peptic ulcer surgery, appendicectomy, hernia repair and pancreatitis. METHODS: Adult emergency admissions in the English NHS were extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics between April 2005 and March 2010. The association between mortality and structure and process measures including medical and nursing staffing levels, critical care and operating theatre availability, radiology utilization, teaching hospital status and weekend admissions were investigated. RESULTS: There were 294 602 emergency admissions to 156 NHS Trusts (hospital systems) with a 30-day mortality of 4.2%. Trust-level mortality rates for this cohort ranged from 1.6 to 8.0%. The lowest mortality rates were observed in Trusts with higher levels of medical and nursing staffing, and a greater number of operating theatres and critical care beds relative to provider size. Higher mortality rates were seen in patients admitted to hospital at weekends [OR 1.11 (95% CI 1.06-1.17) P<0.0001], in Trusts with fewer general surgical doctors [1.07 (1.01-1.13) P=0.019] and with lower nursing staff ratios [1.07 (1.01-1.13) P=0.024]. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences between Trusts were identified in staffing and other infrastructure resources for patients admitted with an emergency general surgical diagnosis. Associations between these factors and mortality rates suggest that potentially modifiable factors exist that relate to patient outcomes, and warrant further investigation.

Association of hospital structures with mortality from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: There is significant variation in the mortality rates of patients with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) admitted to hospital in England. This study sought to investigate whether modifiable differences in hospital structures and processes were associated with differences in patient outcome. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with rAAA between 2005 and 2010 were extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. After risk adjustment, hospitals were grouped into low-mortality outlier, expected mortality and high-mortality outlier categories. Hospital Trust-level structure and process variables were compared between categories, and tested for an association with risk-adjusted 90-day mortality and non-corrective treatment (palliation) rate using binary logistic regression models. RESULTS: There were 9877 patients admitted to 153 English NHS Trusts with an rAAA during the study. The overall combined (operative and non-operative) mortality rate was 67·5 per cent (palliation rate 41·6 per cent). Seven hospital Trusts (4·6 per cent) were high-mortality and 15 (9·8 per cent) were low-mortality outliers. Low-mortality outliers used significantly greater mean resources per bed (doctors: 0·922 versus 0·513, P < 0·001; consultant doctors: 0·316 versus 0·168, P < 0·001; nurses: 2·341 versus 1·770, P < 0·001; critical care beds: 0·045 versus 0·019, P < 0·001; operating theatres: 0·027 versus 0·019, P = 0·002) and performed more fluoroscopies (mean 12·6 versus 9·2 per bed; P = 0·046) than high-mortality outlier hospital Trusts. On multivariable analysis, greater numbers of consultants, nurses and fluoroscopies, teaching status, weekday admission and rAAA volume were independent predictors of lower mortality and, excluding rAAA volume, a lower rate of palliation. CONCLUSION: The variability in rAAA outcome in English National Health Service hospital Trusts is associated with modifiable hospital resources. Such information should be used to inform any proposed quality improvement programme surrounding rAAA.

Population-based screening for the prevention of lower extremity complications in diabetes.

Diabetes-related foot disease is a major health problem leading to significant morbidity and cost. If high-risk populations could be identified and treated before they develop complications, a significant reduction in the burden of foot disease and number of amputations might be expected. We examined the evidence to support population-based screening programs. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from January 1970 to February 2012 to identify studies assessing the impact of screening on lower limb complications in diabetes. Foot screening was defined as combined risk stratification and intervention to prevent foot complications in a population of people with diabetes mellitus. Articles reporting singularly on stratification of risk factors to predict subsequent complications but not reporting effect on minor, major and/or combined major and minor (total) amputation were excluded. Two randomized control trials were identified. These demonstrated patient benefit from screening in the setting of a general secondary care diabetes clinic and renal dialysis unit. Four before and after studies suggested benefit from primary care or regional screening. One study tried to address confounding from general improvements in the provision of diabetes foot care separately from screening. All the observational studies were prone to confounding. The evidence base for formal national primary care-based foot screening of all patients with diabetes is weak. Focused research is needed to confirm that general population-based screening in the community is effective and cost-effective. Limited evidence suggests that screening of high-risk populations of patients may be justified.

Open surgical secondary procedures after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVES: Improved outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) compared with open repair have changed the therapeutic paradigm of thoracic aortic lesions. As the number of TEVAR survivors has grown, reports of complications have similarly increased. Although secondary endovascular rescue measures are often undertaken, patients with serious complications are often converted, ultimately, to open repair. The aim of this study was to assess causes and midterm results of open surgical secondary procedures after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. METHODS: A total of 236 patients underwent TEVAR. Fourteen of these patients required open repair because of six aortobronchial fistulas, four retrograde type A dissections, two aneurysm enlargement without endoleak, one thoracic stent-graft collapse, and one aortoesophageal fistula. Eight (57.1%) patients underwent surgical repair using cardiopulmonary bypass. Six stent-grafts were totally removed, and eight stent-grafts were left in situ. Four patients underwent supracoronary ascending aorta replacement, and one an extensive replacement of the aortic arch through sternotomy. Three patients had descending aortic replacement through left thoracotomy combined with a total esophagectomy in one case. One patient was treated by ligation of the aortic arch, ascending to supraceliac abdominal aorta bypass and stent-graft explantation. One patient was treated by exclusion bypass of the descending thoracic aorta. Pulmonary resection and large pleural or intercostal muscle flap interposition to wrap the stent-graft left in situ was done in four cases of aortobronchial fistula. RESULTS: All patients survived the surgical procedure. Ten patients (71%) had an uneventful postoperative course. There were two in-hospital deaths (14.3%). Both died from multi-organ failure in the early postoperative course after surgical repair of a stent-graft infection and an aortoesophageal fistula. One patient suffered a definitive paraplegia and a secondary aortoesophageal fistula requiring reoperation for esophageal repair. One patient, treated by pulmonary resection and flap interposition to wrap the stent-graft, underwent stent-graft explantation and in situ descending aortic replacement because of stent-graft reinfection. Actuarial survival was 87.7% after a mean follow-up of 26.3 months (range 9-72 months). CONCLUSIONS: Complications or prevention of complications after TEVAR either due to device failure or adverse events may require conversion to open repair or additional open surgical procedure. Open repair can be performed by a team experienced in management of diseases of the thoracic aorta and a low mortality rate achieved despite the precarious preoperative conditions and complex aortic pathologies of patients.

A systematic review of postoperative cognitive decline following open and endovascular aortic aneurysm surgery.

OBJECTIVES Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) is a well-recognised neurological phenomenon following major surgery. Most commonly seen in elderly patients, it has direct links to increased long-term morbidity and reduced quality of life. Its incidence following open and endovascular abdominal and thoracic aneurysm surgery is unclear. The purpose of this systematic review is to collate available evidence for POCD following abdominal and thoracic aortic surgery, and to identify continuing controversies directing future research. METHODS A MEDLINE search was conducted following the recommendations of the PRISMA guidelines. Terms searched for included but were not limited to: aortic surgery, delirium, postoperative cognitive decline/dysfunction thoracic aortic surgery, abdominal aortic surgery. Reference lists were searched for additional studies. RESULTS Five observational studies were identified from the literature search. Variation in study methods, cognitive test batteries and thresholds set by the study coordinators did not allow for pooled results. In those studies that did find evidence of decline, risk was linked to age over 65 years, presence of postoperative delirium and decreased years in education. CONCLUSIONS Evidence thus far suggests that POCD can affect patients following major aortic, non-cardiothoracic as well as cardiothoracic surgery. Future research should focus on using a validated repeatable battery of cognitive tests and a single defined threshold for POCD to allow pooled analysis and more robust conclusions. Larger, adequately powered studies are required to re-evaluate the effect of aortic aneurysm surgery on postoperative cognitive function.

Operative approach in traumatic injuries of the duodenum.

BACKGROUND: The management of duodenal traumas remains controversial. The experience of Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital Emergency Surgery Department with duodenal injuries during a 10-year period was analyzed to identify trends in operative management and sources of duodenum-related morbidity and mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1994 and 2003, 1799 patients with blunt abdominal trauma were operated on and the incidence of duodenal trauma was 2.8% (50 patients). The injuries were penetrating in 31 (62%) patients and blunt in 19 (38%). Primary repair (PR) of injury was performed in 24 (48%) patients, primary repair and tube duodenostomy (PRTd) in 8 (16%) patients, complex repair (CR) in 11 (22%) patients, and exploration only without a duodenal procedure in 5 (10%) patients. Two of the patients died during laparotomy. The mortality rate was 12% and the incidence of duodenum-related morbidity was 12%. The overall morbidity rate was 40% (20 patients). The most commonly injured portion of the duodenum was DII (58%), and the most frequent cause of duodenum-related and overall morbidity in our series was Grade III duodenal injury. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that the use of primary repair in grade III injury may be associated with higher duodenum-related morbidity. Our recommendation is to use complex repair for grade III duodenal injuries.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for large Zenker's diverticulum: report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: Zenker's diverticulum is a propulsion diverticulum in the pharynx. Current practice for the management of symptomatic pharyngeal pouches includes endoscopic pharyngeal stapling, performed trans-orally, and external approaches via a cervical incision. There is no published recommendation on how to approach diverticula with extension into the mediastinum, which may not be adequately treated with the above methods. CASES: We describe two cases in which thoracoscopic mobilisation of Zenker's diverticulum was performed using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery together with traditional transcervical mobilisation and excision of the pouch. This allowed safe surgical access to the inferior limit of the pouch, and delivery of the sac into the neck incision following division of any inferior adhesions (to the great vessels in one case). DISCUSSION: In the first report of this technique, we describe a thorough, safe method of dissecting large diverticula that extend into the mediastinum, which minimises the risk to mediastinal structures.

Embolisation of type 2 endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Endovascular treatment has become the preferred method of repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms, and comes with a unique complication in the form of endoleaks (type I-IV). Type II endoleaks are the focus of this review. They are the most common form of endoleak detected in CT surveillance following endovascular repair. They are observed in 9% to 30% of patients after abdominal endovascular repair (EVR), and 1.4% following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVR). They are classified as primary or secondary, depending on when they are identified following EVR. Typically, retrograde filling of the aneurysm sac is caused by single or multiple, patent feeding vessels. Despite its relative frequency, there is a lack of consensus on the threshold at which treatment should be considered. The aims of treatment are to halt sac expansion or to prevent rupture. A majority of patients may be managed conservatively. In those that are treated, the most common form of management is single vessel embolization. As we will discuss here, there are several ways of performing this procedure, based on the site of endoleak, and causative vessel. Possible reasons for poor success rates will also be discussed. A general consensus on how to best manage these patients is yet to be reached. The aim of this review is to give an overview of type II endoleaks, their natural history and vessels most commonly involved, as well as different approaches to embolisation.

Unexpected findings at diagnostic laparoscopy: caecal incarceration with concurrent appendicitis in a patient with bilateral broad ligament defects.

Internal herniations through broad ligament defects are very rare. We present the first report of the triad of broad ligament defect, internal herniation of the caecum and appendicitis. A 36-year-old woman with phocomelia presented with right iliac fossa pain and vomiting. The patient had no previous history of trauma or surgery. Abdominal ultrasound showed a small amount of free fluid. At laparoscopy, bilateral broad ligament defects were found, with herniation of the caecum and an inflamed appendix through the right-sided defect. A laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy was required for reduction of the herniated bowel, and an appendicectomy was performed. Broad ligament defects may be congenital or acquired. In this case, in light of the limb abnormality and absence of previous surgery, a congenital aetiology is more likely. Ultrasound scan is not reliable and, although computed tomography may be of help, a diagnostic laparoscopy is the best investigation.